Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 6,840	$ 6,583	$ 5,809
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	6,400	6,060	5,260
Gross income	440	523	549
Selling, general and administrative expenses	336	314	309
Operating income	104	209	240
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(36)	(44)	(29)
Interest income	28	11	15
Interest income from affiliates	2	3	22
Loss from affiliates	(41)	(44)	(7)
Other investment income (loss), net	225	(152)	177
Foreign currency gains, net		4	14
Miscellaneous, net	2	(3)	(5)
Total other income (loss), net	180	(225)	187
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	284	(16)	427
Income tax expense	(1)	(1)	(181)
Net earnings (loss)	283	(17)	246
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			1
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Seaboard	$ 283	$ (17)	$ 247
Earnings (loss) per common share	$ 242.78	$ (14.61)	$ 211.01
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,165,758	1,170,501	1,170,550
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit (expense) of $4, $(2), and $3:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ (20)	$ (53)	$ (6)
Unrealized gain on investments			5
Unrecognized pension cost	(10)	3	(4)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(30)	(50)	(5)
Comprehensive income (loss)	253	(67)	241
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		1	1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Seaboard	253	(66)	242
Products
Net sales:
Total net sales	5,610	5,334	4,693
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	5,322	4,990	4,298
Services
Net sales:
Total net sales	1,104	1,116	1,009
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	989	971	879
Other
Net sales:
Total net sales	126	133	107
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	$ 89	$ 99	$ 83